The Russian Dalmorneftegeophysica (DMNG) geophysical survey company opened a branch in Yangon on June 18, said Mr Edward Kropp, the company’s general director.

The company, which has offices in four other countries, opened a processing centre offering geophysical survey and analysis services for onshore and offshore oil and gas projects at 127B, Sein Lei Kanthar Road, Kamaryut township.

The processing centre in Yangon is wholly owned by DMNG but 30 percent of all profits will be shared with Myanmar Offshore Ltd, DMNG’s local partner in oil and gas exploration.

DMNG has been working in Myanmar for more than 10 years and provides solutions including seismic and navigation data processing, computer and peripheral equipment technical support and much more, Mr Kropp said.

The company owns three vessels to do two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) seismic work, assisting PTTEP in February this year.

Mr Edward Kropp said the company had opted to establish a branch in Myanmar to save time and build capacity beyond Russia.

Mr Kropp said the company had been looking to set up an office here since last year.

“We have found good partners in Myanmar. And we have a good understanding with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise,” he said.

“In February, we made the decision to establish a processing centre,” Mr Kropp said during the opening of the centre.

Mr Alexander Grevtsev, DMNG’s deputy general director of marketing, said the availability of a local processing centre could save money for companies exploring the country’s oil and gas deposits.

“The cost of doing geophysical services here is 5 or 10 percent lower than doing it abroad. It also means the customers can see what we’re doing with their own eyes and point out any point where they would like us to make extra efforts,” he said.

Mr Andrey Gorokhov, DMNG’s chief geophysicist, said the centre was a boon for young technicians here.

“About 70pc of the geophysicists working for our company here will, in time, be nationals,” said Mr Gorokhov, adding that it takes up to six years for graduates to become skilled enough.

Dr Dmitry Darchenkov, counsellor/deputy head of mission at the Russian embassy, said cooperation between Myanmar and Russia in the oil and gas field is steadily growing.

“Russia and Myanmar have maintained a close relationship since we established diplomatic ties,” he said.

“We are happy that a Russian company has come to Myanmar, particularly a well-established company that has a good reputation and possesses highly educated staff,” he said.